Trolley device.



S. E. BELGHER;

TROLLEY DEVICE.

APPLIoATIoN FILED JAN. 10. 1906.

No. 863,690. PATENTED AUG. 20, 1907.

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PATBNTED AUG. 20, 1907. S. E. BELGHER. lTROLLEY DEVICE.

'APPLIUATION FILED JAN. 1o. 1906.

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No. 863,690. Y lnailLN'rED AUG. zo, 1907. S.B.BELGHBR.

TROLLEY DEVIGE. APPLIOATION FILED JAN. 1o. 190e.

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SAMUEL EZRA BELCHER, OFLOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

TROLLEY DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Aug. 20, 1907.

Application led January 10I 1906. Serial No. 295,400Vg.

To all whom it may concern.:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL EZRA BELCHER, of the city oi Los Angeles, in the county oi Los Angeles and State of California, have invented a new or Improved Trolley Device for Use in Connection with the Railway-Cars and Overhead Conductor of Electrically- Operated Railways, oi which the following is a full, clear, and exact description or specication, reference being had to the annexed drawings, and to the letters and igures marked thereon.

This invention has for its obj ect to enable the trolley Wheel of electrically operated street railways, to be readily engaged and rengaged with the overhead conductor of such railways, on any occasion when the trolley has become disengaged from the overhead conductor from any cause whatsoever.

The trolley carrying pole and its connections are so constructed, operated and maintained in their position on the top of the railway cars, that whenever a disengagement oi the trolley wheel with the overhead conductor takes place, at the same instant a short upper part thereof, which immediately carries the trolley wheel becomes raised upwards at an angle upon a pivot near the upper end of the trolley pole, while the whole of the pole parts oi the device are at the same time lowered to the horizontal or nearly horizontal position; the whole device consisting of the mechanism shown upon the annexed sheets oi' drawings, and hereinafter described.

Upon the annexed drawings; Figure l, is a View oi the device constituting my invention, partly in vertical section and partly in elevation, shown with the parts in their operative positions, and the trolley wheel in contact with the overhead conductor. Fig. 2, is a vertical vsection looking towards the arrow X, Fig. l, and taken on the line a, a, Figs. l and 3. Fig. 3 is a plan oi some parts shown in Figs. l and 2. Fig. 4, is a plan corresponding with Fig. 2, but in which the compressed air cylinder shown in Fig. 2, is omitted. Fig. 5, is a side elevation of the upper part o the compressed air operative portions of the device, drawn upon a larger scale than that which is shown at Figs.'

l to 4, also showing the manner whereby the lower end oi the trolley pole is fastened into the pole holder, thevalve-casing, the admission and exhaust passages, and the springs and levers whereby the apparatus is also in part operated, as hereinafter described. Fig. 6, is a plan of the under side oi the trolley pole holder, the admission and exhaust passages, also the valvecasing double the size in which these parts are shown in Figs. l, 2, 3, andi, and portions of their flexible tubular attachments to the air cylinder, as seen looking upwards from below. Fig. 7, is a transverse section on the line b, b, Figs. 5 and 6. Fig. 8, is a side elevation, on a larger scale, of the upper part of the trolley device, when it has become disengaged from the overhead conductor. Fig. 9, is an elevation oi the upper end o the trolley device in the straight or operative condition, and on the same scale as Fig. 3. Fig. l0, is an enlarged transverse section on the lines c, c, Fig. I3, showing the pipe and ports for admitting the compressed air above or beneath the piston in the compressed air cylinder. Fig. ll, is a transverse sectional view on the line c, c, Fig. 13, ior opening the exhaust ports ot' the compressed air cylinder, all as hereinafter described. Coinpleter details of these exhaust and admission ports, and of the valve and passages, by which compressed air is led into and exhausted from the air operated parts ol my device are shown on a smaller scale at the bottom parts of Figs. l2 and 13, respectively, Fig. 13, showing a longitudinal section of the valve and the ports therein. Fig. lil, represents a transverse section on the line d, d, Figs. 5, 6, 14 and l5, o the carrier of the lower end oi the trolley pole, and the piston rod held within this part of the device by means of a ball, and operated as hereinafter explained. Fig. l5, is a plan of the trolley pole holding part oi the device, and the compressed air admission and distributing valves, their spring connections, the pivots and levers, with the central part of this portion of the device broken out, and on a larger scale than that of the sections Figs. l2 and 13, the whole oi which is operated substantially as hereinafter described. elevation of the lowest part of the pole and its holder, valve-casing, levers and operating springs, also the air pipes oi' passages, on the same scale as Fig. 6, that is to say, on double the scale shown at Figs. l to 4.

The entire apparatus constituting my invention is carried as is shown at Figs. l, 2, 3, and 4, so as to be capable of rotation upon the vertical axis, constituted by the vertical pivot A, attached by bolts B, to the roof B/, of the railway car, but as more especially seen in sections at right angles to each other, Figs. l and 2. ln the drawings, the car is supposed to be traveling in the direction of the arrow x, Fig. l.

The pivot A, is preferably formed with an annular projection C, at its upper part, as shown at Fig. 1, and the two halves of the lower part of the housing D, by which the trolley device is carried vertically and rotatively upon the pivot A, are united together at a central plane marked E, by bolts marked Ef, E2, E3, E", E5, E, etc., as shown more especially at Figs. 2, 3, and 4. When the two parts of the housing D and D, respectively, are thus held together, not only are they maintained as fitting rotatively upon the flange or projection C, but antifrictionally by means of the rollers G, inserted in the hall-groove formed respectively in the bottom of the pivot A, and in the foot or lower part of the housing D. By means of the projecting ring C, and the groove in the housing D, inclosing and tting it, also the anti-friction rollers G, G, the apparatus is so sup- Fig. 16, is a side ported that very little friction occurs when it is rotated vin its vertical axis, upon the pivot A, while the projection or ring C, at the upper part of the pivot A and titting into the two halves of the housing D, prevents the trolley carrying apparatus being insecure, or from being removed l'rom the vertical pivot A, excepting by the intended practice of occasionally removing the same from oft the pivot A, by undoing the bolts Ef, E2, E3, etc., and taking the parts asunder for cleaning and repairing. At the rear upper part and above the housing D, there is Carried the compressed air cylinder' F, wherein the piston FQ operates. The piston Ff, is connected by the piston rod H2, and ball H, Fig. 14, to the lower end ol the upper part ol' the trolley pole holder H,V as shown in the drawings. By admitting compressed air into the cylinder F, at the upper part thereof, the piston Ff, being thereby depressed` maintains the trolley device in the position shown at Figs. l, 5 and 9, that is to say, in the position wherein the trolley wheel l, is raised up into electrically operative contact with the overhead conductor wire F. To enable the piston rod Hzfto remain always in a practically vertical position, it is connected to the ball H3. The outer portions ol the projections K, operate in the vertical guides .1, in the two upright side frames .l/, rising from the housing D, below and carrying the cylinder F, at the upper end thereof. In this manner a xed and determinate position oi' the ball H in a vertical plane, always constitutes an abutment which resists and reacts against any pressure which may be exercised, by any movement ol the trolley pole and its connections, caused by the weight of the conductor l', or by accidental disengagement of the trolley wheel l, downwards.

The projection marked K, in Fig. 5, represents the projection in its lowest position, and the projection K, the same in its uppermost position.

The pipe L, Figs. 1, 5, 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14, of the annexed drawings, is the pipe which is connected with the compressed air reservoir of an electric railway car. This reservoir not being any part ol" my invention is not shown in the drawings. This pipe L, is preferably led upwards through the center ol the pivot A, and housing D, as shown at Fig. 1. Such reservoir may be that which is used ior operating the brakes of the car, or a separate reservoir may be used. This pipe L, leads compressed air into the interior of the apparatus through the annular partially rotating valve U, Figs. 10 and 13, contained therein, which leads into the upper port or' the cylinder. F, through the pipe g, leading from the port g, Fig. 13, so that the compressed air passes into the cylinder F, above the piston F. This compressed air in thus passing into the cylinder F, above the piston F, depresses it and the piston rod H2, and the ball H3,

thereby'raisingthe trolley pole' M, from the approximately horizontal position shown in dotted lilies at the right hand end oi Fig. 5, into the operative inclined position shown both at the leit and right hand ends of Figs. 5 and 9. This inclined position is as aforesaid that which corresponds with the contact ol' the trolley wheel 1, with the overhead conductor 1/ and the trolley pole and its attachments are maintained in the position shown at Figs. 1, 5 and 9, by the action ol the compressed air upon the upper side of the piston F and by the other actions or functions ol my device herein described.

Should it happen, as it so lrequently does, that from a variety of causes, inherent to the operation oi trolley devices that the trolley wheel I, becomes disengaged from, or moves out oll contact with the overhead wire l, then the springll, Fig 9, through being no longer maintained in tension by the weight ol the overhead conductor 1, contracts as shown at Fig. 8, so that the contraction oi the spring N, draws the pivoted shoulders f, f, apart l'rom each other, and simultaneously draws the shoulders h, h, towards each other, thereby raising the upper arm O, of the trolley pole into the position shown in lull lines at Fig. 8, and in dotted lines at Fig. 9, that is to say, above and out of contact with the overhead conductor 1/. When the upper end ol the trolley device is in the position now herein last described, the tendency of the spring ll, is to maintain it not in contact with the overhead conductor, and to cause the upper part of the trolley device to strike against the cross wires by which the overhead conductor is carried, in suoli a way as to injure the same, but by reason ol the [u1-ther parts of my invention now to be described, this tendency of the upper parts ol the trolley pole to injuriously affect the cross wires, is prevented. f

At the front end of the cylinder H, there are carried the pivots P, upon which two arms Q and Q, are pivotally carried, as shown at Figs. l, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 15 and 1G. To the outer upper end and lower ends o'l the arms Q and QQ a still spiral spring R, is firmly fastened. `he tendency ol these springs is to maintain the trolley pole holder H, and the trolley pole M, in the upraised position shown in the drawings, but the instant that disengagement of the trolley wheel I, from the overhead conductor l, should take place, then the rod Nf, controlling the valve U, and ports g, by which compressed air is led into the under side el th'e piston ofthe cylinder F, and exhausted from the upper side of the piston in the said cylinder, permits oi the partial turning round o the cylindrical valve U, Figs. 10, 11 and 12, within its casing T, and in this manner, the exhaust port g, in the valve U, becomes open to the other liexible pipes g, and g3, leading tothe upper end ot' the cylinder F, so that the upraised end of the trolley pole and its connections move downwards simultaneously, by the lower part of the trolley pole holder H, being raised by the upward movement oi' the piston F, that is to say, into an approximately horizontal position shown in part by the dotted lines in Fig. 5, whereby complete disengagement of the trolley wheel I, from the overhead conductor l, is effected.

So soon as the device and mechanism are in condition for being elevated so that the trolley wheel I, and` overhead conducting wire l, can again be thrown into operative contact, the valve U, containing the port g, Fig. 10, operated as hereinafter described, admits compressed air to the upper side ol the piston FQ through port and pipe g3, to the upper end ol' the cylinder' F, and because of the exhaust of the compressed air on the under side of the said piston being Vsimultaneously eil'ccted by means oi the arm N, operating the handle V, Figs. 1, 5, G, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 15, and turning the valve U, so as to open the port g3, and close the port h2, through which compressed air exhausted below the piston in the cylinder F, escapes by the pipe g2. condition, the piston being at the top oi the cylinder F, is ready for being lowered to move the trolley device In this l llt) upon its pivot K, and thereby to liit the trolley I, in operative contact with the overhead conductor I.

In order to insure that there shall be no irregularity in the operating ol' the trolley pole and the holder H, in which the lower end of the trolley pole is fastened, as hereinbefore mentioned, the pivots K, at the lower end of the holder H, being as aforesaid, movable upwards and downwards in the vertical slots J, ofthe framing J, there is carried at the upper end of the holder H, and opposite `to each other a two arm lever Q, and a similar two arm lever Q/ to the upper and lower ends of which, respectively, helical springs Il., are connected and to similar two armed levers Q2, and Q3, as shown at Figs. 3, Ll, 5 and l5. When the coin- `pressed air above the cylinder F, has iorced the piston F, and the piston rod H2, to the lowest position, then the holder H, and the trolley pole M, become raised upwards, and as the pressure oi the trolley wheel I, against the overhead conductor If, takes place, then the lever O, constituting the upper part of the trolley pole M, becomes straightened out into its operative position by the stretching of the spring N, from the position shown at Fig. 8, to the position shown at Fig. 9, when the arm O, becoming moved round its pivot until the stops f, f, close against each other, when all the parts remain in straight line and in their operative positions. When this movement of the arm O, upon its axis takes place, then it pushes the rod N2, rearwards and downwards, until the lever V, is in such position that the valve U, is turned in its socket in the casing T, to maintain passage of the compressed air above the piston in the cylinder F. v The parts of this apparatus shown dotted in Fig. 5, illustrate the position of the several parts oi the trolley device when the trolley is in a horizontal or nearly horizontal position, that is to say, when out of Contact with the overhead conductor I/, hereinbefore referred to.

When it is desired from any cause for the trolley wheel I, to be lowered out of contact withthe overhead conductor I, such for example as when it is necessary for the conductor of a railway car to rotate the apparatus upon the pivot A, then the conductor of the car, takes hold by his hands of the rope n, Figs. 8 and 9, and pulls the trolley pole and its connections downwards, so as to free it from the overhead conductor If. When so held down, the device is capable of being turned round upon the pivot A, to the opposite angle, for the purpose oi enabling the car to travel in the opposite direction. This rope n, is also available for being used by the train or car conductor for the purpose of replacing the trolley wheel I, in engagement with the overhead conductor I, at any time after an accident or emergency rupture shall have ocepyred to cause the trolley I, and the arm O, to be raised upwards, and the apparatus operated otherwise as herein before described.

For the purpose of maintaining the rod N2, stitf in its place beneath the trolley pole M, the trolley pole M,. is provided with metallic loops Z, which suspend the rod N2, as shown more particularly at Fig. l., oi the annexed drawings. For the purpose of maintaining the trolley pole M, rigid in its connection with the holder H, the rear end of the holder H, is split diametrically across in both walls oi its cylindrical structure, that is to say, as shown at Z/, Figs. l, 5 and 1G. Near l l l l j I the outer rear end of these splits lugs z2, are formed,

Figs. l5 and 16, and through these lugs z2, bolts Z3, pass, upon tightening which by their screw nuts, the split rear portions oi' the holder H, are sprung down upon the lower end of the pole M, whereby the said pole is lirmly gripped and held rigidly in place.

Having now described the nature of my said invention, and the best system, mode or manner, I am at present acquainted with for carrying. the same into practical effect, I desire to observe in conclusion that what I consider to be novel and original, and therefore claim as the invention to be secured to me by Letters Patent is as follows:

l. The trolley device for electrically operating vehicles, consisting of a pivoted holder carrying the trolley pole, the holder connected to the piston operable vertically in a cylinder by compressed air, the cylinder, the piston and means connecting it to the holder, the duplex pivoted levers, the reir pair of such levers carried pivotally at the rear end of' the trolley pole holder, the trent pair of such levers carried pivotally upon the trame guides which support the air cylinder, the springs connecting and regulating the movement of the said levers in relation to the pivotal position ol' the `trolley pole holder, the pivoted upper end of the trolley pole, the springl connecting the transversely pivoted parts, the stops limitingl the extent of movement of the upper movable part of the trolley pole and trolley wheel, the downwardly projecting arm of the movable upper part of' the trolley pole, the link or rod connecting said arm to the lever for operating the compressed air valve, the lever, the compressed air valve substantially as set forth.

2. The trolley device for electrically operating vehicles, consistingof a pivoted holder carrying the trolley pole, the holder connected to the piston operable vertically in a cylinder by compressed air, the cylinder, the piston and means connecting it to the holder, the duplex pivoted levers, the rear pair of such levers carried pivotally at the rear end of the trolley pole holder, the front pair of such levers carried pivotally upon the frame guides which support the air cylinder, the springs connecting and regulating the movement of the said levers in relation to the pivotal position of the trolley pole holder, the pivoted upper end of the trolley pole, the spring connecting the transversely pivoted parts, the stops limiting the extent oi" movement of the upper movable part el' the trolley pole and trolley wheel, the downwardly projecting arm oi' the movable upper part ol` the trolley pole, ihe link or rod connecting said arm to the leier for operating the compressed air valve, the level', the Acompi ssed air valve the central vertical pivot, the central pipe in said pivot conveying compressed air to the valves and cylinder, the housing inclosing and carried upon said pivot, the iiange at the lower part of the housing, the flange of ille pivot, the anti-friction rollers operating in grooves in the flanges ofthe housing and of the pivot, all substantially as set forth.

3. 'lhe trolley pole holder consisting ot' a cylindrical hol-- low body, Whose rear end is split l'or selne distance into the lzody, said split parts havinf.,v lateral projecting lugs for receiving lightening bolts, which on being tightened draw together the parts of the holder containing the splits, the pivots of the hold(` the socket and hall joint connectingy the holder to the piston of the compressed air cylinder, the piston.- the cylinder, the vertical guides for the ball and its projections, the admission and exhaust valves in the holder lor conveying compressed air to and discharging exhaust air from the cylinder and piston, all operating ttogether substantially as hcreinbefore described.

In testimony whereof, I, the said SAMUEL EZRA Bnilcirnn, have hereunto set my hand and seal at Los Angeles aforesaid. in the presence of' two subscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL EZRA BELCHICR. [L. 8.]

Witnesses DON C. Poirink.

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